Xavi, Ronaldinho at his best, Messi, Deco and Iniesta? Oh and they were defending Champions League winners at the time.

Click to expand...

That whole team was based around Ronnie. Messi was awesome then but nowhere near where he is now. Keep in mind he was only 19. Xavi wasn't the same player he was before he pwnd at the Euros and their midfield was a completely different shape and played a totally different style. That team was much more attacking and direct. With that being said, the Barca team of today would whip that team.

That whole team was based around Ronnie. Messi was awesome then but nowhere near where he is now. Keep in mind he was only 19. Xavi wasn't the same player he was before he pwnd at the Euros and their midfield was a completely different shape and played a totally different style. That team was much more attacking and direct. With that being said, the Barca team of today would whip that team.

Click to expand...

I'm not so sure! If anything, the team from the mid 2000's was a bit more dangerous. Teams have shown that you can stop Barcelona, Inter and Chelsea especially. They do tend to try and walk the ball into the net at times. When they had Eto'o, Messi and Ronaldinho up front, well personally I believe that is better than Messi as a number 9, Sanchez and Pedro.

As for the midfield, Xavi has always been beyond class. I don't believe he's a better player now than he was then, he just never misses a pass, he didn't as a 25 year, he doesn't now and he probably wouldn't if he was still playing at the age of 70. Iniesta is better now than he was, sure, but he was a hell of a player back then too. Deco and Busquets are a different kind of player, but people seem to forget just how good Deco was at Porto and Barcelona.

I'm not so sure! If anything, the team from the mid 2000's was a bit more dangerous. Teams have shown that you can stop Barcelona, Inter and Chelsea especially. They do tend to try and walk the ball into the net at times. When they had Eto'o, Messi and Ronaldinho up front, well personally I believe that is better than Messi as a number 9, Sanchez and Pedro.

As for the midfield, Xavi has always been beyond class. I don't believe he's a better player now than he was then, he just never misses a pass, he didn't as a 25 year, he doesn't now and he probably wouldn't if he was still playing at the age of 70. Iniesta is better now than he was, sure, but he was a hell of a player back then too. Deco and Busquets are a different kind of player, but people seem to forget just how good Deco was at Porto and Barcelona.

It seems to me that the kind of passes he plays changes greatly as he ages. He's still the brain of the team, but he doesn't really try those 20-30 yard passes anymore. His position has changed greatly but not his role in the team or in the overall tactical scheme since then. Kind of a head trip of you think about it. The same could be said of Messi, although not as much.

And Eto'o, Messi and Ronaldinho/Henry as a forward 3 was always, and will always be better than Barca's current forward three. Sanchez is good but Pedro is **** I think.

I don't know why he keeps on doing it, referee's aren't giving him penalties when they should be at the moment. Does he think they will give him one for a dive?

Drogba got alot of stick for diving, but the combination of Mourinho having a word and him maturing meant it stopped before it got out of hand. The situation with Suarez seems to be getting worse, it's doing him more harm than anything.

Having said that, I didn't like Pulis coming out calling for a ban. He's been doing that alot lately, he wanted Ivanovic, Oscar and Luiz banned after the game a few weeks ago. He's a manager, surely the things he says about opponents is worthy of some kind of punishment in itself?

This is why I don't like International football, Chelsea v Spurs should be incredible! Instead we have to wait an extra week so we can see England play San Marino? Hmm.

Click to expand...

Quoted for truth, Fena... my, how we can all hardly wait eh?

What a cracking game in store though re Spurs V Chelsea. You know both teams and sets of management won't need any extra motivation here. A good showing by the team in white may even bring to an end the lingering bad vibes aimed at AVB (which in fairness is mainly due to the continual press goading and stirring).

PED - Your boys are looking very damn good to me (mainly down to Bould, according to my AFC mates LOL)... Cazorla (one of the best buys of the season for anyone, no?) and Arteta are doing the business... how do you rate the team at present?

^^It's a great season all around I think for all of us (especially Fena)

I like Brendan Rogers but what was he thinking letting Carroll go out on loan. He terrifies me, what a battering ram he was.

I was quite happy with the result as a similar game against QPR and Bobby Zamora didn't end so well last season.

Looking forward to Wilshire coming back. Who would have thought Mertesacker would be so solid after his shaky start.

The one guy I really like is Giroud, he has the most assists of any Gunner this year and he's starting slow but like Rudd v N at Utd, he has a nose for being in the right spot and that will pay off. Plus being 6ft4 doesn't hurt in the PL.

Have to say I got a good laugh from Saturday's Mirror headline saying Arsene was thinking of Falcao......hell, AW wouldn't spend that on 4 players, let alone one...lol

This is why I don't like International football, Chelsea v Spurs should be incredible! Instead we have to wait an extra week so we can see England play San Marino? Hmm.

I don't know why he keeps on doing it, referee's aren't giving him penalties when they should be at the moment. Does he think they will give him one for a dive?

Drogba got alot of stick for diving, but the combination of Mourinho having a word and him maturing meant it stopped before it got out of hand. The situation with Suarez seems to be getting worse, it's doing him more harm than anything.

Having said that, I didn't like Pulis coming out calling for a ban. He's been doing that alot lately, he wanted Ivanovic, Oscar and Luiz banned after the game a few weeks ago. He's a manager, surely the things he says about opponents is worthy of some kind of punishment in itself?

Click to expand...

Yeah Pulis needs to stop talking, don't see him complaining when his group of thugs go out every week to elbow/stamp the opposition or when Crouch decides he's playing basketball and throws the ball in the back of the net he pulls a Wenger and says he didn't see it.

What a cracking game in store though re Spurs V Chelsea. You know both teams and sets of management won't need any extra motivation here. A good showing by the team in white may even bring to an end the lingering bad vibes aimed at AVB (which in fairness is mainly due to the continual press goading and stirring).

Click to expand...

I'm surprised you're looking forward to it so much, surely a hammering is nothing to be excited about?

Guess Falcao to Chelsea is actually going to happen, title to Stamford Bridge it is then.

Click to expand...

Lets not forget what happened with Aguero, both the player and agent were talking about the move like it was a formality, but it didn't happen in the end.

I also don't think it will happen in January, they will sell, but if it does happen i'd guess at it being over the summer. Man City might of sold Dzeko and Balotelli by then aswell, in which case, Falcao will end up with them.

Lets not forget what happened with Aguero, both the player and agent were talking about the move like it was a formality, but it didn't happen in the end.

I also don't think it will happen in January, they will sell, but if it does happen i'd guess at it being over the summer. Man City might of sold Dzeko and Balotelli by then aswell, in which case, Falcao will end up with them.

Click to expand...

Yeah it seems he's off to City, Chelsea it appears don't want to fork over 80 million for him, City will have sold off Balo for sure and Dzeko will probably leave too, though Dzeko deserves to stay. Price isn't a barrier for them so it seems that they're the only ones willing to drop 80 million him, Chelsea's last few mega-signings in the striker position haven't gone to plan, so they're probably a bit weary to drop that kind of cash, no matter how good he is.

Yeah it seems he's off to City, Chelsea it appears don't want to fork over 80 million for him, City will have sold off Balo for sure and Dzeko will probably leave too, though Dzeko deserves to stay. Price isn't a barrier for them so it seems that they're the only ones willing to drop 80 million him, Chelsea's last few mega-signings in the striker position haven't gone to plan, so they're probably a bit weary to drop that kind of cash, no matter how good he is.

Click to expand...

The price isn't a problem, it's £46 Million (his release clause). Abramovich is willing to pay that and his club want to sell to ease their debts.

The only problem would be City, if they do sell Balotelli and Dzeko, a striker would be needed. I think it depends on what happens this season, if Chelsea go deep in the Champions League again and maybe make a real push for the title, whilst playing this new, high pressing, the front players all moving with freedom, pretty passing etc.. type of football, then we could be a more attractive option to Man City.

Obviously if they win the league again and do something in Europe, the wages they can offer will be hard to turn down. I think them getting out of their Champions League group could be huge, they have had two tough groups, but to not make it through for 2 seasons in a row, it will certainly be something top players who want to win things will look at.

I don't see Mancini selling Balotelli..he loves him, he'd sell Tevez before he'd sell Balo despite how much better Carlos is right now.

Dzeko probably would go as he deserves a consistent starting spot in a top team anyway he's too good to be sat on the bench being used as impact sub.

Meanwhile surely Chelsea would be desperate for another forward by January? Can't see Torres having the durability of other guys who start 60+ games a year (Messi/Ronaldo) and only Sturridge as back up who probably still isn't really good enough to lead the line for a really top team.

I don't see Mancini selling Balotelli..he loves him, he'd sell Tevez before he'd sell Balo despite how much better Carlos is right now.

Dzeko probably would go as he deserves a consistent starting spot in a top team anyway he's too good to be sat on the bench being used as impact sub.

Meanwhile surely Chelsea would be desperate for another forward by January? Can't see Torres having the durability of other guys who start 60+ games a year (Messi/Ronaldo) and only Sturridge as back up who probably still isn't really good enough to lead the line for a really top team.

Click to expand...

True about Balotelli, i've heard stories about Mancini giving up on him so many times but nothing ever happens.

Chelsea certainly do need another striker, Torres is already said to be struggling having to play every game, the long summer at the Euro's probably has something to do with it. Mata had the same summer, but the depth we have there allows him get rest now and then.

Scouts were looking at Remy, so he's probably someone they are looking at if Falcao doesn't happen in January, which I don't think it will. Simeone is a good manager and the club are looking to keep him happy, selling their best player midseason probably wouldn't go down too well.

Even so, I can't see Torres staying if Falcao arrives, meaning someone like Remy would be needed longterm.

When asked if the heir apparent to Pele's crown as the golden boy of Brazilian football would learn Catalan in preparation for a move to Barcelona, he retorted: "I want to learn a world language such as English."

Fair enough, Neymar. I'm sure he already knows Ramires, Oscar, Piazon and Luiz. He'll probably get on great with Hazard and Mata too after they set him up for 50 a season. All he would have to do is somehow displace Falcao.

I heard Ince saying they should be banned for the next 5 tournaments. Obviously his kid was one of the ones being abused and took a punch so he's pretty heated, but a ban does seem like the only option.

Why exactly are Liverpool thinking they are in a unique position, only having one stiker now Borini is injured?

It's the same position Chelsea are in, they have Suarez, we have Torres, they have Borini who isn't great and is injured, we have Sturridge who's better out wide and also injured.

Why do they think we will let them take Sturridge on loan? Crazy!

I see Man Utd are looking at trying to bring in Ashley Cole. Not sure why, he's better than Evra, but they're both coming to the end of their careers at the top in the coming years. Buttner looks like he's the one for the future there, Cole makes no sense to me.

Borini has been disappointing so far and wont be misssed. Pool fans would like to see youngsters like Yesil, Suso and Morgan get their chances; and if miraculously one of them starts scoring, will relieve the work load Suarez has been carrying.

Be interesting to see what BR does with Carroll, recall him in Jan or go with the youngsters? If recall, Carroll's permanent move to the hammers will be in doubt and LFC would not be able to recoup the $ they spend on him. If BR decides to play youngsters and not recall Carroll, the risk of them not performing to par will escalate the fear of Suarez being injured in the second half of the season....What a frigging mess we got ourselves into by not securing another striker in August.

Sturridge on loan? Highly highly doubtful unless we get rid of Joke Hole, rumored to be about 60 pounds/week.

Why exactly are Liverpool thinking they are in a unique position, only having one stiker now Borini is injured?

It's the same position Chelsea are in, they have Suarez, we have Torres, they have Borini who isn't great and is injured, we have Sturridge who's better out wide and also injured.

Why do they think we will let them take Sturridge on loan? Crazy!

I see Man Utd are looking at trying to bring in Ashley Cole. Not sure why, he's better than Evra, but they're both coming to the end of their careers at the top in the coming years. Buttner looks like he's the one for the future there, Cole makes no sense to me.

Click to expand...

United? Nah, Cole is off to Real Madrid, who have lost Marcelo for 3-4 months with a broken foot and Coentrao is also sidelined with a lengthy injury, thus leaving Ozil as the only left-sided player in their team besides Di Maria who can't play any position besides wing. Cole on loan is what's probably going to happen, and he'll sign for them once their season ends.

Borini has been disappointing so far and wont be misssed. Pool fans would like to see youngsters like Yesil, Suso and Morgan get their chances; and if miraculously one of them starts scoring, will relieve the work load Suarez has been carrying.

Be interesting to see what BR does with Carroll, recall him in Jan or go with the youngsters? If recall, Carroll's permanent move to the hammers will be in doubt and LFC would not be able to recoup the $ they spend on him. If BR decides to play youngsters and not recall Carroll, the risk of them not performing to par will escalate the fear of Suarez being injured in the second half of the season....What a frigging mess we got ourselves into by not securing another striker in August.

Sturridge on loan? Highly highly doubtful unless we get rid of Joke Hole, rumored to be about 60 pounds/week.

What a mess.......

Click to expand...

Joe Cole is a worthwhile player still and would do quite well if given some game time, which he'll probably get now that Borini is out.

United? Nah, Cole is off to Real Madrid, who have lost Marcelo for 3-4 months with a broken foot and Coentrao is also sidelined with a lengthy injury, thus leaving Ozil as the only left-sided player in their team besides Di Maria who can't play any position besides wing. Cole on loan is what's probably going to happen, and he'll sign for them once their season ends.

Click to expand...

Interesting! I think he may sign with another club in January, PSG or Madrid as you mention. He'll then probably leave next summer. Bertrand is more than ready to step up.

I've not been too keen on the players mentioned as backup, Lulic and Assou-Ekotto are the two i've heard most about. I wonder if Coentrao could be an option, he seems to get played all over the pitch by Mourinho, i've seen him as a winger, left back, right back, defensive midfielder etc.. His already sparse playing time would be cut further if he was challenging against Cole AND Marcelo.

Interesting! I think he may sign with another club in January, PSG or Madrid as you mention. He'll then probably leave next summer. Bertrand is more than ready to step up.

I've not been too keen on the players mentioned as backup, Lulic and Assou-Ekotto are the two i've heard most about. I wonder if Coentrao could be an option, he seems to get played all over the pitch by Mourinho, i've seen him as a winger, left back, right back, defensive midfielder etc.. His already sparse playing time would be cut further if he was challenging against Cole AND Marcelo.

Click to expand...

Well I think with regards to Coentrao the thing Mou is trying to achieve with the budget he's given at Madrid is depth and versatility, both in terms of tactical variance within the squad and the ability for any given player to be able to play X number of positions, seeing as they're really pushing for the double this year and to do so they'll really need their entire squad save for Casillas to be able to adapt to playing out of position and playing different formations. They have the players to attack, defend, crowd the forward line, park the bus, pack the midfield, play quickly or play slowly. Look at practically anyone in their outfield save for their strikers - they've got players who can play several different positions both in terms of where they line up or what role they have in the team (on either side of the ball). Ronnie can play out on the wing, behind a striker, in the hole, or as a striker himself. Kaka can play central midfield, as a striker, behind the striker, etc... Essien can play anywhere across defense, as a holding midfielder, as a box-to-box midfielder, a defensive midfielder, it goes on and on for everyone in that team. Basically positions can swap at will and there's always cover at any role or position depending on what is needed.

I'd be doing the same thing if I had Mourinho's budget and was aiming for glory on all fronts. He doesn't have to sell to buy so he's stockpiling anyone and everyone he can.

So i'm currently deciding on which is sweeter, the performance, the 3 points, Mata showing the overrated Walker up to set up the 4th, or seeing how the bitter Villas-Boas deals with the hammering. Tough choices!

So i'm currently deciding on which is sweeter, the performance, the 3 points, Mata showing the overrated Walker up to set up the 4th, or seeing how the bitter Villas-Boas deals with the hammering. Tough choices!

Click to expand...

ABV said it didn't get to him, but I think rest assured he was pissed about that performance. I know Mata will give him nightmares the next time he goes to sleep.

So i'm currently deciding on which is sweeter, the performance, the 3 points, Mata showing the overrated Walker up to set up the 4th, or seeing how the bitter Villas-Boas deals with the hammering. Tough choices!

Click to expand...

Walker is overrated and Chelsea looked like champions although we shall see against Utd. From a neutral standpoint, the blues are great to watch.

I think Hazard was a bit surprised mike Dean let them play the way he did. Hazard is used to getting spainish style fouls with minimal contact. Dean did call it both ways though.

Cheleas def deserved the points but a huge let off for Bale and Dembele not to play. Ivanovic must have been relieved. Spurs just don't have enough quality to not have there their top 2 not playing. Huddleston and Sandro just not up to the mark and I wasn't aware that Gallas was still on the Chelsea payroll...lol

Walker is overrated and Chelsea looked like champions although we shall see against Utd. From a neutral standpoint, the blues are great to watch.

I think Hazard was a bit surprised mike Dean let them play the way he did. Hazard is used to getting spainish style fouls with minimal contact. Dean did call it both ways though.

Cheleas def deserved the points but a huge let off for Bale and Dembele not to play. Ivanovic must have been relieved. Spurs just don't have enough quality to not have there their top 2 not playing. Huddleston and Sandro just not up to the mark and I wasn't aware that Gallas was still on the Chelsea payroll...lol

ABV said it didn't get to him, but I think rest assured he was pissed about that performance. I know Mata will give him nightmares the next time he goes to sleep.

3 points is nice too

Click to expand...

Well, it was the little comment before the game about how winning the title with Porto was a bigger achievement than Chelsea winning the Champions League was that said it all. What a strange comment that was, bit of karma working there I think.

Same for Walker, he hacked down Ramires on a break and said "I got the ball!", either he's soft upstairs or not quite sure on the laws of the game. What was he doing when Mata was off the pitch and he smacked the ball at him? It was immature and made him look stupid, for the second time in the game. Why would you do that and rile up the best player in the League so far this season? I have to admit, seeing him caught way out of position for the 3rd, then watch the 4th go in after Mata left him on his ass was sweet.

I also enjoyed Mikel performing a 720 degree pirouette around the Tottenham midfield in the first half

I thought Di Matteo was outstanding this week, the way he handled the press about Terry before the game was perfect. His tactics and team selection was once again spot on, the midfield he picked, meaning Lampard was left out turned out to be a great decision. Same for the 3 behind Torres. Out wide was one of the places I thought they could hurt us, people were thinking Bertrand would of started but he went for the more attacking approach and it more than payed off. He's really got the whole team defending from the front and chasing after everything, opponents defence have no time on the ball (Oscar has been key to that I think).

Will be interesting to see how he gets on with the tricky away game in Europe, then Man Utd next weekend. Even if the great start falls away, Di Matteo really does deserve a huge crack at the job over the next few years, hopefully Abramovich knows this.

Cheleas def deserved the points but a huge let off for Bale and Dembele not to play.

Spurs just don't have enough quality to not have there their top 2 not playing.

Click to expand...

100 per cent agree. Very mixed/poor performance from us, as you'd slightly expect given no Dembele and Bale, the general obvious state of transition Spurs are in, and the brilliant performance of Chelsea and their pantheon of mega-money, highest tier signings.

100 per cent agree. Very mixed/poor performance from us, as you'd slightly expect given no Dembele and Bale, the general obvious state of transition Spurs are in, and the brilliant performance of Chelsea and their pantheon of mega-money, highest tier signings.

Click to expand...

Also even the big money signings you have made in Ade and Lloris aren't getting much time on the pitch which is weird..guess it's what AVB does though.

Still depressed from what was a shocking performance. Don't expect to us to challenge for the league but that was unacceptable.

Click to expand...

I think Arsenal are always prone to one of those, where they lose to team near the bottom of the table. That's probably what stops them challenging, they go on great runs and look great at times, but the league is all about who's consistent over the 38 games I suppose.

It's just frustrating that when there appears to be one area of the team that needs to be improved, by the time that belatedly happens another area has become a problem because we've flogged our best players.

I still back Wenger though, especially after last season, as he's working within tight constraints.

Arsenal are a selling club. Contrary to the usual lazy headlines of bumper profits from a well run football business, the football business has started losing money (due to the huge increase in the wage bill as a %age of stagnant revenue, driven from the top of the market by the spending of the sugar daddies). The fact that we appear to be a profitable enterprise has become purely down to player sales. Wenger now has to sell GBP 20m of player to break even, and the excess we move on each year is our profit. The club has significant cash assets, but these would be eaten up within a couple of years were we not to keep on moving on our existing players for profit.

The club is essentially waiting for 2014 when the shirt sponsorship is renegotiated, and the huge increase in PL TV money starts being received (this won't improve competitiveness domestically, as everyone gets the money, but will on the international transfer / wage market) - these two combined will add another GBP 50m to revenue per season. I'm sure Wenger and Gazidis tried to persuade players such as Van Persie to stay, promising bigger signings "if you wait a couple of years," but top players just can't be expected to do that nowadays. I'm sure this is what RVP meant by the 'lack of ambition' of the club.

Of course, the argument is that clubs such as Everton and Spurs are doing well on more modest wage bills, but that's an argument to be made at the end of 38 games and CL qualification.

I think the Champions League positions will be really interesting again this year, last year there was a big battle between Arsenal, Newcastle, Tottenham and Chelsea for the last 2 and I can see it being similar this year.

The two Manchester clubs and Chelsea appear to be the ones to get the top 3 at this early stage. Spurs will probably be around there again, Arsenal, Everton possibly. Maybe Newcastle can get things back on track too.

Are Shakhtar darkhorses for the trophy? Already made both Juve and Chelsea look average, have gone 21 unbeaten and are perfect at home, not to mention the experience their squad has in winning Europa League a couple of times and making the quarterfinals last year..

Barca of course are in a class of their own but surely Shakhtar are in that second tier group with the top English and German sides..

Are Shakhtar darkhorses for the trophy? Already made both Juve and Chelsea look average, have gone 21 unbeaten and are perfect at home, not to mention the experience their squad has in winning Europa League a couple of times and making the quarterfinals last year..

Barca of course are in a class of their own but surely Shakhtar are in that second tier group with the top English and German sides..

Click to expand...

Darkhorses? Sure. Potential victors? Hell f*cking no. Juve is average, Chelsea wasn't playing their best XI. If they can make it past some of the big boys in the knockout phase, then I'll start believing. I don't think they could go toe-to-toe with Madrid, or United even though United haven't been all that convincing this term. We should wait until Shaktar play in London or Turin until we can make better judgments, every away match in the Champions league is tough and strange things are always bound to happen.

With that being said, Willian is awesome. And surprised nobody has mentioned Douglas Costa in a while, that kid is amazing. Whatever happened to his supposed move to United all those years back after the U20 World Cup in 2009?

I agree about Shakhtar, they're a very good team and would make worthy quarter finalists I think. Anything beyond that is probably a bit of a stretch.

People said Chelsea had an easy group and payed all the attention to the one City had (obviously they got a bad draw, so it's understandable). To look past everything Shakhtar have achieved over the last few years (and for my money, they're better now than they were before), and also Juventus' amazing run in Italy, both teams have been unbeatable for so long. Throw into the mix you also have the European champions in the group, whichever way you look at it, one great team is going to be going out.

You don't know what horrible is, battered yet again in Europe and if I'm honest we've been pretty lucky in the league as well to be on 18 points. This new defensive coach Mancini brought in is ****e 1 clean sheet in 10+ games.

You don't know what horrible is, battered yet again in Europe and if I'm honest we've been pretty lucky in the league as well to be on 18 points. This new defensive coach Mancini brought in is ****e 1 clean sheet in 10+ games.